IFSPT is a world-wide Federation, recognised as a subgroup of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT), representing national organizations of Sports Physiotherapy. The efforts of IFSPT are directed towards Member Organizations and their individual members in serving athletes of all ages and abilities through excellence in education, research, practice, and clinical specialisation. The intention of the IFSPT is to be the international resource for Sports Physical Therapists all over the world.

Game opening ceremonies in packed Maracana stadium in Rio, the match between Argentina and Bosnia/Herzegovina on June 15.

The eyes of the world were transfixed on television screens as the FIFA World Cup competition unfolded June 12 to July 13. Many IFSPT members were integral to the health, well-being and performance of the players, both in preparation for the events and during the competition.

Thirty-two teams from across the globe battled for dominance in twelve cities, culminating in the final match in Rio de Janeiro at the Estadio do Maracana.

Mario Bizzini, Schulthess Klinik, Zurich was on hand for more than a month of activities. "We literally worked from morning to late at night, with no rest," says Mario, "but it was all worth it."

The Estadio do Maracana awaits its fans.

Brazil vs. Croatia game ball...the first match of the 2014 World Cup!

Mario Bizzini (right) with a volunteer.

Mario Bizzini with the famous Christ the Redeemer statue.

The US team celebrates after Clint Dempsey's goal.

The beach at Copacabana.

FIFA Fan Fair at Copacabana beach.

Swiss party signage.

Closing ceremonies.

The winners!

Samba Stories...

By Bakare "KT" Ummukulthoum

I had been looking forward to the FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil 2014 for a really long time and not just because my home country Nigeria qualified for the prestigious Mundial! I was getting a chance to volunteer with the Local Organizing Committee in Curitiba to assist Medical Services at the venue. I was looking forward to this event particularly because I missed out when Africa hosted in 2010, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond my control. However, I had a blast participating at the Women's World Cup in Germany, which took place the following year. That's not my story for today...

When I received the news that I had finally scaled the last hurdle of interviews to travel to Brazil, I was elated and up for a new challenge and adventure. I set out on my quest to Brazil with a cumulative journey time of 16 hours halfway across the world from Lagos, and finally I landed to the warmth of Rio and Copacabana!

With a lovely dutch couple in Rio who happen to have worked in Nigeria for 15 years!

My first few days were spent adapting and getting to know the famous city that has a huge reputation around the world including the iconic Maracana Stadium (Unfortunately the day I visited there, my camera battery died)! I got to meet new people and make new friends before heading out to my station at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba.

At the arena.

A view of the Fan Fair in Curitiba.

The City of Curitiba had an European feel to it and I was told historically there were lots of German and Italian settlers there. The city was completely a contrast in weather to that of Rio. While Rio was like sunny and humid Lagos recording temperatures of around 32 degrees C, the best Curitiba posted was 12 degrees C (Good enough, we were kitted appropriately)! Coincidentally, Nigeria had their first group game against Iran in Curitiba, and the team physio, Mr. Olawale Oladejo, who is a member of the Nigerian Sports Physiotherapy Association, an affiliate member to IFSPT, was on hand to provide the support the team needed. There were other exciting games played out including Ecuador vs Honduras, Australia vs Spain and Russia vs Algeria.

KT with medical team colleagues pitch side.

The Arena da Baixada set the scene perfectly for all the encounters and it is indeed a magnificent stadium. It was exciting to note that twelve IFSPT member countries were in the competition, representing 38 percent of all 32 participating teams at the World Cup. All of the aforementioned IFSPT member countries competing at top levels featured sports physiotherapists playing key roles in injury prevention and optimizing performance using the best practices according to IFSPT guidelines. Nigeria was in a pretty tricky group, yet we made it to the round of 16, despite the loss in the much anticipated clash with Lionel Messi's Argentina! Algeria also made it two African countries through to the round of 16, and lost to the eventual champions of the World Cup, Germany, in a pulsating encounter.

KT with local children.

The hospitality of the Brazilians was second to none. Despite language barriers - Portuguese is the language widely spoken - communication is not restricted by language. We all had something in common, which was the language of football that everyone understands. In between my very hectic work schedule, I got to explore the town a bit, develop new ties, interact with the local community particularly about the "11 for Health" program that was commissioned by FIFA-Medical Assessment and Research centre with loads of fantastic positive reviews.

With Celia Regina Favero Silvero. "Love is what makes the world go round"

KT's Brazilian flag, signed by many of those she worked with at the games.

As I counted down to my departure from Brazil via Sao Paolo, I remembered with fond memories the passion and the unity that football brings from around the world. I had a great time with my medical team on and off the field, developing friendships with the potential to last a lifetime. I felt accomplished knowing that I contributed in part to the FIFA World Cup with a lot to remember for many, many years to come. I am looking forward to the next one. Obrigado, Brasil!

Bakare Ummukulthoum is a board certified physiotherapist practicing in Lagos, Nigeria and is currently the secretary of the Nigerian Sports Physiotherapy Association, a member of the IFSPT. She contributed this piece as a synopsis of her experiences during the FIFA World Cup which held in Brazil from June 12- July 13 2014.

KT Bakare strikes a pose in Curitiba.

From left to Right: Gabriel Gomes de Oliviera Ribas and Bakare Ummukulthoum with the medics team at Medical Post 2 in Arena da Baixada on Russia vs Algeria match day.

A true fan! Nigerian fans celebrate.

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPIST REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE IN SEVEN MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS FORIMMEDIATE REGISTRATION.

If you would like to take your skills to the world, this is the pathway you should choose! Registered International Sports Physical Therapists (RISPT) are immediately recognized as individuals possessing the knowledge, experience and skills to work in the worldwide field of sports.

While RISPT status does not license an individual in other countries, it does notify that the individual has achieved the highest level of qualification in his or her country.

Currently, members of the following member organizations are able to apply and receive acceptance immediately.

New Zealand: Complete the Specialisation Pathway through the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand. Must complete specialisation in the Musculoskeletal Category. Applications for NZ Board MSK Specialty must have a sports focus with evidence provided.

The Netherlands

United Kingdom: Continuing Professional Development Level 3, Gold

United States: APTA Sports Certified Specialist

Cost for registration is only 50 euros and is good for five years. Renewal is available for 20 euros. A certificate will be emailed to you in order that you may print and display it.

This is an inaugural international sports physiotherapy conference in Finland. Today in sports physiotherapy, the importance of sports injury prevention programs and preventive strategies are recognised as determinant in therapeutic strategies. Therefore it is obvious that injury prevention and illness in sport is an important focus of sports physiotherapy as well.

Are you sponsoring a physical therapy, sports physical therapy or sports medicine conference in 2014 and 2015?

Please send the information regarding your conference to Mary Wilkinson, IFSPT marketing director, for addition to the IFSPT newsletter and website! Newsletters are published each month, so please submit your material as early as possible. You are also welcome to provide updates as your event draws closer!

Now Available: The IFSPT Blog!

Join us on our new IFSPT Blog!

If you have experiences in sports physical therapy to share, we've established a blog page on our website. Lots of our members are working in some incredible areas - let's start sharing what we learn from these events.

We've created the forum...now we need you to participate! Go to this link and post your thoughts, questions, tips and tricks!

The International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy is an official publication of the IFSPT. Our member organizations, as well as our international organization, gain great benefits through participation in the IJSPT. Truly a forum for the international sports physical therapy field, the IJSPT is indexed in PubMed and CINAHL, and has featured articles from writers in over twenty countries.

Member organizations are expected to participate in the Journal in one of three ways:Option One: Provide the Journal as a member benefit to all members of the organization (a roster and payment is submitted annually to the managing editor), and promote the Journal on the web and in member communications.

Option Two: Provide the Journal as a member benefit to members choosing to participate, submit a roster and payment to the managing editor annually, and promote the Journal on the web and in member communications.

Option Three: Promote the Journal on the web and in member communications, directing members to the IFSPT subscription link(select "IFSPT member" for a 60% discount).

If your organization would like to change its participation level, please contact Mark DeCarlo.

No time to participate in conferences outside your clinic? No travel budget? No time for classroom study with family commitments?

The IFSPT has approved the SPTS Home Study Courses for credits toward International Sports Physical Therapy Registration...and IFSPT members receive a generous discount. Courses may be purchased and downloaded immediately...you can start learning right away.

Offered in a convenient downloadable format, each Home Study Course (HSC) consists of multiple chapters (monographs) along with a final examination. Chapters are approximately 15-30 pages in length and require 4 to 6 hours to complete. The final examination consists of approximately 5 questions from each chapter. To receive continuing education credit, HSC participants must complete the final examination and return the answer sheet to the SPTS home office via email or fax. A course certificate will be sent to the course participant upon successful completion of the final examination.

Designed for preparation for the Sports Certified Specialist Examination in the United States, this fourteen-chapter course covers many areas the average clinician does not experience in daily practice.